Arguably the main man in establishing a Polish modernism, and one of my favourites. The programme outlined in Radio Times goes disconcertingly forwards and backwards, seemingly trying to draw too many ends together, so it will be interesting to find out how Donald manages this one.
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A real gold seam. We need to hear far more of his music. Is it SO tricky to play? Or is it tricky to programme for wannabe players? -
Huge devotee here - great choice for COTW......at least three stylistic phases in Szymanowski's oeuvre....
The Stabat Mater....Music to swoon too....Symphony No.4....for euphoric dancing, in the inner or outer worlds....Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 20-01-20, 17:14.Comment
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Not so hard to play, and grateful too. He's a victim partly of prejudice against his life style, partly of the continually absurd conservatism in programming, which is as behind the times in the concert hall as in the opera house. There's perhaps another reason, namely that he didn't write a large enough body of orchestral or orchestral/vocal music of the very highest quality as to make him as attractive to programmers as (say) Bartók or Stravinsky. Only "second" and "third" period works are really worth the candle, in my opinion.Originally posted by DracoM View Post
(I share the huge enthusiasm of other posters for his best works, by the way.)Comment
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Absolute fan of here too. My favourite is his Symphony No.3, ‘Song of the Night’. I like Gardner’s recording amongst others out thereDon’t cry for me
I go where music was born
J S Bach 1685-1750Comment
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His Overture Op12 is an absolute gem, and a great introduction to his work.Comment
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As also is the first movement of the Second Symphony. With the second movement, things get a bit more complex!Originally posted by ahinton View Post
Oh, and thanks to whoever kindly corrected my heading to this thread.
Edit: Incidentally, if anyone else is experiencing problems figuring out when works referred to in this series were actually composed, the link below offers a nice easy-to-scroll chronology - and, unlike elsewhere
, you won't be arm-twisted with urgent requests for regular support!
There's other essential information on him on that site as well.Last edited by Serial_Apologist; 21-01-20, 14:16.Comment
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My OH was playing last week in a performance of the violin concerto by Korngold, after which I remarked to her that if the programmers want some not-so-obvious post-romantic violin concerto why the hell didn't they put on Szymanowski instead of this cheesy rubbish?Comment
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The muchOriginally posted by Richard Barrett View Post
celebrated Korngold violin concerto is an example of what can happen to a once-interesting composer after too much work in the Hollywood industry. One could cite others, not just honorary Americans, but it doesn't or didn't always have to be that way. Henze for example composed some amazing film scores. What about Morricone?
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I had one of those spine tingling epiphany moments at the start of today's programme. It was brought on by the stunningly sung Slopiewnie (Wanda) which I'd not heard before. Then came one of the Kurpian Songs 'Whip on the Horse', deliciously 'Eastern' and a mile away from mainstream European choral wriring. Must hear more of this!!! Szymanowski has been a favourite of mine since I discovered his sound-world through Vioiln Concerto No 1. I realise I know so little, and this week's CotW has made me want to discover more.Comment
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I recommend the third piano sonata of 1917, because it is my favourite Szymanowsky, for me the peak of his output and as passionate as any work I know, and arguably the closest he came to atonality, and the world of Alban Berg. The fugal finale is one of the most thrilling examples of the form anywhere, imv. The linked performance below is with the score.Originally posted by ardcarp View Post
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If I remember correctly, the Stabat Mater has no key signature, and this was a little disconcerting at first for the choir I was in when we tackled it a while back. I've no idea if this is typical of his writing style.Originally posted by DracoM View Post
Listened to the two violin concertos yesterday (my partner had caught part of yesterday's programme, which put him in mind of them), which we both like a lot. I'm also a fan of the Fourth Symphony (effectively a piano concerto) and would recommend his two string quartets too: I have them on this Naxos release, which we also listened to last night.
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The Stabat Mater is a belter of a work.Don’t cry for me
I go where music was born
J S Bach 1685-1750Comment
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Thanks SA, I'll track it down.I recommend the third piano sonata of 1917, because it is my favourite Szymanowsky, for me the peak of his output and as passionate as any work I know, and arguably the closest he came to atonality, and the world of Alban Berg.Comment
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